Steamed skinless chicken breast stays moist and flavorful.
Good cooks know that nothing compares to moist, juicy chicken. The problem is that cooking skinless chicken to reduce fat often leads to dry, chewy, flavorless results. Cooking chicken is a healthy alternative. The best chicken steamer fits the needs and budget of the cook, as well as the size of the kitchen. For some, that means a cheaper stainless steel or bamboo steamer, while others prefer a small electric steamer that frees up the stovetop without taking up a lot of counter space.
White meat with the skin removed is especially low in fat, and even dark meat without the skin is a healthy alternative to beef and fattier meats. Roasting or broiling chicken with the skin left on to retain moisture produces better-tasting poultry, but much of the fat leaches into the meat during the cooking process. However, steaming eliminates both the problem of dry, bland chicken and moist but fat-soaked meat. The first step in selecting the best chicken steamer is to determine if cheaper stovetop models will suit your request, or if an electric steamer is a better deal.
The least expensive option is probably the stackable bamboo baskets, designed to sit inside a wok or pot containing a small amount of boiling water. For a little more money, a stainless steel version of the same design is available. However, cooks should avoid steamers with plastic trays, as toxic chemicals can leach out. Also, if the plastic gets scratched, the warm, humid environment can promote bacterial growth. Stove top steamers do not allow the cook to control cooking without removing lids or entire pans, and this can be a safety hazard as the steam can burn.
For a little more money, an electric chicken steamer is an option. If the unit does not have stackable trays, it must be deep and wide enough to hold enough boneless chicken pieces. This type of unit will also take up more counter space. Alternatively, there are several stackable electric steamers on the market that allow the cook to prepare a full meal, including rice or potatoes, vegetables, and chicken.
The best electric chicken steamers will have a glass lid so cooking can be monitored without removing the lid and glass or stainless steel pans. While models with digital timers cost a bit more, they allow a cook to do other things until the timer goes off. Any electric unit should have an automatic shutoff to turn off the device when the water runs out. Also, it should be easy to add more water without taking the whole machine apart.